Massaging machine

ABSTRACT

A massage device comprising a plurality of massaging elements, preferably of spherical configuration, each of which is suspended by a non-rigid line from a common supporting structure which is laterally reciprocable, whereby such massaging elements may be drawn back and forth across a surface to be massaged, disposed in the path of such elements.

United States Patent [191 Gerlich Mar. 26, 1974 MASSAGING MACHINE3,078,843 2/1963 Brisson 128/52 [76] Inventor: Stephen Gerlich, 5320 S.Albany St.,

Chicago, Ill, 60632 Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Flled. Dec. 20, Gross & Simpson [21]Appl. No.: 316,861

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 128/44, 128/52, 128/62 R l f 51 Im. Cl A6lh7/00 A massage devce P 0 Passagmg [58] Field of Search 128 /2 4 5l 55elements, preferably of spherical configuration, each of which issuspended by a non-rigid line from a c0mmon supporting structure whichis laterally reciproca- [56] References Cited ble, whereby suchmassaging elements may be drawn back and forth across a surface to bemassaged, dis- UNITED STATES PATENTS posed in the path of such elements.1,680,989 8/1928 Hibner l28/55 2,826,763 3/1958 9 Claims, 3 DrawingFigures Bass 128/55 UX MASSAGING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Theinvention is directed to a power driven massage device utilizing aplurality of massage elements, preferably of sphericalconfiguration, inwhich the massaging elements are drawn across a body surface to bemassaged, the construction readily adapting itself for multiple usagewhereby a plurality of persons may be simultaneously individuallymassaged.

In the past, numerous massage devices have been designed, some of whichutilized spherical or similar members, with the messaging elements,either acting directly on the skin surface or through other layers orpadding or the like. In most instances such massaging elements are inthe form of rollers which are rotatably mounted for rolling actioneither on the surface to be massaged or on means operative to transmitthe massaging motion from the rollers to the surface to be massaged.

U.S. Pats. No. 3,205,887 and No. 3,405,709 illustrate typical examplesof massage devices wherein ball-like rollers act upon a padded surfacefrom which the massaging action is transferred to the massaged body.U.S. Pats. No. 2,439,292 and No. 2,976,867 illustrate devices whereinmassage rollers are adapted to directly engage the body of the user, thelast-mentioned patent also disclosing the use of rollers which arecontoured to more or less correspond to an elongated series of ball-likemembers.

Devices also have been designed, for example, for portable use, whichinvolve a hand-held structure employing massaging elements of more orless ballor spherical configuration, examples of such type of devicebeing illustrated in US. Pats. No. 2,306,424, No. 2,629,374 and No.2,895,469.

It will be appreciated that where the massaging action takes place belowthe supporting surface of the user, the massaging action is inopposition to the weight of the person and positive action is involved,i.e., the massaging elements are positively moved through predeterminedmotions, whereby there isbasically no control over the pressure appliedto the body of the user. Where hand held structures are involved thepressure is dependent upon the amount of pressure applied by theoperator of the device, and again the motions of the massaging elementsmay involve a fixed mechanical pattern. Further, it is desirable thatthe use of individual operating personnel be eliminated, and that theintensity or force applied in connection with the massaging action beindependent of the size and weight of the person receiving the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a massagedevice which is adapted to produce a massaging action on a persondisposed therebelow, i.e., the massaging action takes place on theuppermost portions of the body, as distinguished from the portion of thebody which is supported. In addition, the massaging elements which, forexample, may be in the form of ball-like members, are individuallysupported by flexible lines or cords whereby, during the massagingoperation, they are drawn or dragged across the body of the user, sothat the massaging force is dependent upon the weight of the massagingelements and the movement imparted thereto during operation of thedevice, independently of the size or weight of the user. Further, as themassaging elements are unrestricted, other than as to their downwardmovement, they may readily move in any direction to accommodate to thecontour etc. of the user, and as a result of the unconfined suspensionof the massaging elements they will not necessarily follow an identicalpattern or action during repeated movements over the body of the user,eliminating a monotonous, repetitous type of action.

The device also is so designed that the elevation of the balls may beselectively varied with respect to the surface to be massaged, againproviding variations in the massaging action and sensations imparted tothe user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings wherein like referencecharacters indicate like or corresponding parts;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a massaging device embodying the presentinvention, schematically illustrating its application to the body of auser;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a massaging structure, illustratingthe construction of the massaging elemtnts, the supporting structurewith the connection thereof to the reciprocating mechanism beingillustrated in section; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the application of the presentinvention to multiple massaging operations, utilizing a singlereciprocating mechanism and power source therefore.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and moreparticularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 1 indicatesgenerally a supporting structure for a plurality of massaging elements 2each illustrating as being of generally spherical configuration. Thesupporting structure 1, in the embodiments illustrated, is in the formof a generally planar sheet or board 3 of sufficient rigidity, andsuitable size to accommodate sufficient number of massaging elements 2to effect a desired massaging operation. In the constructionillustrated, the board 3 is approximately two feet in width and fourfeet in length having suspended therefrom five rows of eight balls each.Each massaging element 2 is adapted to be supported in dependingrelation from the board 3 by a line or cord 4, secured at its lower endto the element 2, for example by means of an eye 5 thereon, with theopposite end of the cord passing through a suitable bore in the boardand provided with an enlarged end or knob 5 of a size to preventdisengagement of the cord with the board.

The board 3 is rigidly secured to the lower end of a supporting member6, illustrated as being of generally rectangular cross-sectionalconfiguration, and adapted to be vertically slidable in the fitting 7 inwhich it may be rigidly secured, in any one of a plurality of positions,by suitable means as for example a bolt 8 and cooperable wing nut 9passing through the member 7 and any one ofa plurality of holes 10 inthe member 6. Thus by selection of a suitable hole 10, the massagingelements may be suitably adjusted vertically with respect to the body ofthe user, who normally will be supported by a suitable couch or cot 11.

The massaging structure thus far described is adapted to be supportedfor reciprocation by a suitable member, illustrated as being anelongated tubular structure 12 which is reciprocably mounted in asuitable supporting structure 13, provided with a reciprocatingmechanism (not illustrated) powered by a motor 14, whereby the shaft 12may be axially reciprocated through a desired stroke. The specificdetails of the reciprocating mechanism is not illustrated as such typesof mechanism are well known for any many purposes involvingreciprocating elements, for example eccentric arrangements, helical orscrew drive etc. It will be apparent that the drive means for the member12 may be of relatively low power as the movable elements of themassaging device can be of relatively light construction, merelysufficient to adequately support the massaging elements 2 throughouttheir travel. Likewise, the reciprocating drive mechanism may beadjustable to provide operating strokes of different lengths. A verysimple type of an adjusting mechanism for such purpose is that found onadjustable stroke metal shapers and the like employing reciprocatingwork heads.

Preferably, the stroke could be adjustable from a movement of one orseveral inches to a travel sufficient to move all of the massagingelements across the body of the user. For average usage, an adequatemassaging action may be achieved by a travel of from 12 to 18 inches.This in turn, would depend to some extent on the vertical positioning ofthe massaging elements with respect to the surface to be massaged.

It will be noted that in all instances the massaging action is derivedfrom the weight and movement of the massaging element as they are drawnacross the users body and thus are independent of the weight of the useras compared with prior devices in which the user is supported on themassaging elements and thus the latter must be capable of supporting theweight of the user as well as imparting the desired movement under suchload. It will be apparent that in such case a relatively more powerfulmotor and drive mechanism would be involved, ascompared with that of thepresent invention in which the supporting structure for the massagingelements need have sufficient strength merely to carry the weight ofsuch elements and efficiently support them during their travel.

It will be appreciated that the massaging element may be of any suitableconstruction, for example of molded ruber or other suitable materialeither rigid or semiresilient,in dependence upon the particularapplication and the effect desired. Likewise massaging elements ofdifferent weights could be provided to vary the massaging effect.

It will be particularly noted that in addition to the advantagesmentioned, the device is relatively noiseless, smooth in operationwithout jarring effect on the persons body and requires no complicateddrive mechanisms or the like, or relatively heavy motors.

Further, as the massaging action takes place above the body it can bevisually observed and the desired intensity or effect readily adjustedby varying the vertical positions of the massaging elements, aspreviously described.

While I have illustrated an embodiment of the invention which is adaptedto massage substantially the entire body from head to foot, the devicemay be proportioned to massage only a desired portion of the body. Inthis connection, the supporting board 3, could for example, be dividedinto two removable sections, whereby either or both section could beemployed.

It will be appreciated that the present invention also readily adaptsitself to multiple massaging operations, merely by utilizing areciprocating member 12 of sufficient length to accommodate thedesirednumber of supporting boards and assocaited massaging elements. Such aconstruction is more or less schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, whichalso illustrates in dotted lines a possible travel of the structure toprovide maximum action over a relatively long stroke.

Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the shaft 12 is extended tospan several individual massage rooms 15a and 15b, which are providedwith respective couches 11a and 11b. Mounted on the shaft 12 arerespectively fittings 7a and 7b, each of which is adapted to support arespective member 6a and 6b, which in turn carry corresponding boards 3having massaging elements 2 suspended therefrom. The free outer end ofshaft 12 may be suitably supported for reciprocating movements in asuitable bearing 16, supported for example by a partition 17.

With such type of arrangement a plurality of massaging operations may besimultaneously performed upon respective individuals, each of which isprovided with the privacy of an individual room, respective couch andmassaging elements. Even with a relatively large number of suchmassaging stations, the additional power required for operation would becomparatively small.

Having thus described my invention it is obvious that although minormodifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it shouldbe understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patentwarranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly comewithin the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A massage device comprising a plurality of massaging elements, asupporting structure for said elements, non-rigid lines depending fromsaid supporting structure and connected at their lower ends to saidmassaging elements whereby the latter are freely movable upwardly, andlaterally within the confines of said lines, means for supporting saidsupporting structure for lateral movement whereby said massagingelements maybe drawn across a surface to be massaged, disposed in thepaths of said elements, and means for effecting such lateral movement ofsupporting structure and thereby of said massaging elements.

2. A massage device according to claim 1, wherein said massagingelements are circular in transverse cross section.

3. A massage device according to claim 2, wherein said massagingelements are spherical.

4. A massage device according to claim 1, wherein said supportingstructure is verticaly adjustable for adjusting the vertical heights ofthe massaging elements relative to a surfacr to be massaged disposedtherebelow.

5. A massage device according to claim 1, wherein said supportingstructure comprises a generally horizontal platform from which saidlines depend, said supporting means therefor comprising an elongatedmember to which said supporting structure is adjustably connected, andsaid lateral moving means comprises means for longitudinallyreciprocating said elongated member.

6. A massage device according to claim 5, wherein said reciprocablemember is of a length to accommodate a plurality of said supportingstructures and mas 'saging elements, whereby a plurality of massagingopersaid massaging elements are disposed in a common horizontal plane.

9. A massaging device according to claim 1, wherein said massagingelements are uniformly spaced relative to one another and are disposedin a common horizontal plane.

1. A massage device comprising a plurality of massaging elements, asupporting structure for said elements, non-rigid lines depending fromsaid supporting structure and connected at their lower ends to saidmassaging elements whereby the latter are freely movable upwardly, andlaterally within the confines of said lines, means for supporting saidsupporting structure for lateral movement whereby said massagingelements maybe drawn across a surface to be massaged, disposed in thepaths of said elements, and means for effecting such lateral movement ofsupporting structure and thereby of said massaging elements.
 2. Amassage device according to claim 1, wherein said massaging elements arecircular in transverse cross section.
 3. A massage device according toclaim 2, wherein said massaging elements are spherical.
 4. A massagedevice according to claim 1, wherein said supporting structure isverticaly adjustable for adjusting the vertical heights of the massagingelements relative to a surfacr to be massaged disposed therebelow.
 5. Amassage device according to claim 1, wherein said supporting structurecomprises a generally horizontal platform from which said lines depend,said supporting means therefor comprising an elongated member to whichsaid supporting structure is adjustably connected, and said lateralmoving means comprises means for longitudinally reciprocating saidelongated member.
 6. A massage device according to claim 5, wherein saidreciprocable member is of a length to accommodate a plurality of saidsupporting structures and massaging elements, whereby a plurality ofmassaging operations can be effected on a plurality of different users.7. A massage device according to claim 6, wherein said massagingelements are uniformly laterally spaced relative to one another.
 8. Amassaging device according to claim 7, wherein said massaging elementsare disposed in a common horizontal plane.
 9. A massaging deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said massaging elements are uniformlyspaced relative to one another and are disposed in a common horizontalplane.